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There are constantly books and articles and lectures and programs placed before men by men who are supposed to have all the answers to everything from monetary success to inner peace. Some of them can be very convincing, but the Word warns that "there will be false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping . . . Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings; yet even angels . . . do not bring slanderous accusations against such beings in the presence of the Lord. But these men blaspheme in matters they do not understand . . . they seduce the unstable; they are experts in greed . . . they have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam son of Beor, who loved the wages of wickedness . . . These men are springs without water and mists driven by a storm" (II Peter 2, selective in the interest of time and space--read it all--you know these people--you see them on television daily, hear their speeches and offers, you read their books--beware of them!).
To us our Lord says:
"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought with a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (I
Corinthians 6:20).
"You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men" (I Corinthians 7:23).
"The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 2:28).
"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich" (II Corinthians 8:9).
"For there is one God and mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all men" (I Timothy 2:6).
"For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is right. These things, then, are the things you should teach (sound doctrine, love of family, self-control humility, integrity, etc. as discussed in verses 1-10). Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you" (Titus 2:11-15).
"For you know that it was not with perishable things such as gold or silver that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect" (I Peter 1:18-19).
In this context review these parables of Christ:
"The Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought the field. Again, the kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it" (Matthew 13: 44-46).
Of course, there is the obvious message that Jesus is teaching about the Kingdom of Heaven and its utmost value to those who will find it. That Kingdom is worth all we have, and we must be willing to give up all in order to attain it. But I believe Jesus is saying even more in these parables. I believe an alternate interpretation can put Jesus in the place of the worker in the field or the merchant. Jesus who gave up, for a time, God-status, all the power and riches of the universe, to purchase for Himself what He found most dear--the treasure in the earth, the pearl of great price--us.
To affirm this theory, I did a little research. I like the way it was put in the Word for Today broadcast from Trinity Lutheran Church, Creston IA, on 10/17/08: "There is something odd about these stories. That's one of the problems with listening to Jesus' parables. We try to make ourselves into the hero. It's only natural for us because in our sinful nature we want to be the center of the universe. We hear about the treasure and the pearl and we are sure Jesus is telling us how much we should be willing to get it. That's the odd thing about the parable. No merchant or worker would do what these guys do. Notice it doesn't say they gave up the business holdings, but instead it says they gave up everything. It's impossible for them. It's impossible for us to do enough to earn what Jesus won for us on the cross. He gives it to us freely as a gift. We are forgiven our sins freely by Jesus' willing suffering and death on the cross. The truth is Jesus' parables make much more sense if we make Jesus the hero, and put Him at the center. He's the guy who gives up everything to have the treasure."
False prophets and wrong teachings will always get a person into trouble, and they are certainly easy to find. In fact, they come looking for us. But God has sent us Christ; He has sent His Word, and that is our touchstone; He has redeemed us from all that is false. He has promised that His Word will be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path, and in His great light, anything false must flee.
Lord Jesus, please continue to teach me according to Your Word. I know I have been bought with a price. Turn me away from any seductive device of the enemy. Let my heart be pure before You because of Your blood. Let me learn and teach by the integrity of Your Word and the Holy Spirit. Amen
I
2:1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
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If God never does another thing for us, He has already given us much more than we deserve in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Let us never take His gift for granted.
The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: "He is good; His love endures forever." Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple. (II Chronicles 5:13-14)
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If God never does another thing for us, He has already given us more than we deserve in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Let us never take His gift for granted. Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to You. What I have vowed I will make good. Salvation comes from the Lord. (Jonah 2:8-9)
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If God never does anything else for us, He has already given us much more than we deserve in the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. Let us never take His gift for granted.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is He that has made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; be thankful to Him and praise His name. For the Lord is good and His love endures forever; His faithfulness continues through all generations. (Psalm 100)
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I just looked over the headlines for this morning. I saw Sarah Palin, Barak Obama, Jon and Kate, Lindsay Lohan, Miley Cyrus, Tim Tebow, and a "rare living fossil fish." No doubt these are all heroes to someone--maybe even the fish--but there is no mention of the only real Hero. Jesus said, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself." He was literally lifted up on the cross. I wonder when we will lift Him up from this "earth,"--our bodies. I wonder when will we lift Him up in our hearts. Too, too often, America just wants to be fed and entertained, and then we wonder why we're in such a mess. It's not because of the men and women we have "lifted up." It's because of the One we have not lifted up.
Lord Jesus, please forgive us for our neglect and misplaced priorities. Please bring our focus back to where it should be--on You. Amen.
12:32 and I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
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